Dodgers beat Astros to force Game 7 in World Series

Times wires

Published: October 31, 2017
Updated: November 1, 2017 at 12:03 AM

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 31: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros is forced out at first base as Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes the catch during the third inning in game six of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) 775063335

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers beat the Astros’ best and forced a Game 7 in what is turning out to be a classic World Series.

Chris Taylor and Corey Seager led a comeback against ace Justin Verlander, and Los Angeles beat Houston 3-1 in Game 6 on Tuesday night.

The victory on Halloween night gave fans at Dodger Stadium and beyond a true treat: A year after the Cubs beat the Indians in a Game 7 thriller, the baseball season is going the distance.

"We feed off the crowd," Taylor said. "We love it when the crowd gets loud.’’

Yu Darvish will start for Los Angeles tonight. Astros manager A.J. Hinch didn’t announce a starter before Game 6, but it’s expected to be Jesuit High’s Lance McCullers, who after the game was in rightfield loosening up his arm.

Asked what he expects tonight, Taylor said, "More of the same. It’s going to be a hard-fought game. Every game has been a battle.’’

Verlander dominated for five innings, but the Dodgers got him in the sixth. Taylor hit a tying double and Corey Seager had a sacrifice fly for a 2-1 lead.

Joc Pederson hit his third Series homer in the seventh for insurance and took an animated trot around the bases. Kenley Jansen got the final six outs for the save.

George Springer hit his fourth Series home run for Houston.

"Who can guarantee you’ll ever be in Game 7 of the World Series ever again, so come ready to play,’’ Hinch said.

Verlander was in complete control until the sudden burst in the sixth. The Astros ace had allowed just one single and struck out eight in five innings before Los Angeles broke through.

Austin Barnes singled to open the sixth, Chase Utley was hit by a pitch, Taylor went the opposite way for his tying hit and Seager delivered a sacrifice fly as Dodger Stadium went wild.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts again used an early hook on a starter, pulling Hill with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth. Hill had given up Brian McCann’s leadoff single and Marwin Gonzalez’s ensuing double but then struck out Josh Reddick and Verlander to get to the brink of escaping the jam.

Instead, Roberts ordered an intentional walk to Springer then pulled Hill, who appeared to turn his back on the manager. Hill furiously swatted cups off the Dodgers’ cooler.

Reliever Brandon Morrow, pitching for the sixth time in eight days, ended the rally with a groundout from Alex Bregman. Morrow has appeared in all but one of the Dodgers’ 14 postseason games, and he was battered in Game 5 in Houston.

Kenta Maeda escaped a jam against the Astros in the seventh.

Tony Watson gave up a leadoff walk to Josh Reddick. Maeda came on and induced a fielder’s choice grounder by pinch-hitter Evan Gattis.

Springer singled when the ball eluded shortstop Seager’s diving backhand stab, putting runners on first and second. Bregman flied out and Maeda got Jose Altuve on a groundout to third.